"let's start a veggie garden she cried........."

Here is the start of the veggie plot, about 2 weeks after planting the seedlings.

Raised bed in the foreground was planted with seedlings.

The 2 beds at the rear are for stages 2 and 3, to be planted with seeds.

The veggies got off to a good start even though the weather was still cold.
The bed is compact, and includes leeks, silver beet, beetroot, spinach, rocket,
spring onions, cauliflowers and tomato's at the back.

Here is a magpie eye view of stage 2, with peas growing well, climbing up the trellis.

Look carefully and you can see a row of carrots, barely an inch high.

Stage 3 has been planted with beans and they are looking fine.

Growing veggies is a satisfying and rewarding task, and is a nice way

to relax after a busy day at work.

Growing up in a market garden family it has all come back to me,

the soil preparation, the planting the care and maintenance.

It's much more relaxing doing this on a small scale.

Already we have reaped the benefits.

The rocket, which grew the quickest is a nice addition to the salads.

Yesterday for lunch I pulled a handfull of spring onions,

washed and trimmed them and ate them in a sandwich.

Pure bliss.

Nothing like picking your own produce fresh from the garden.

Magpie update.....

The red circle marks the spot where the nest is located.

Almost impossible to see standing at the base of the tree.

When the wind blows the tree sways a lot.

I wonder if the babies are scared when it blows.

Yesterday a whirly wind drifted through the trees.

I checked for any casualties at the bottom ..........all clear.

The nest must be strong and anchored well.

me updating my blog....

Musical interlude.....

I have recently discovered this amazing singer.

Antony and The Johnsons.

Listen.......you will be amazed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l48aOXWKx4E

web page

http://www.antonyandthejohnsons.com/

It's Magpie season again.....

Last week I was sitting out the front of the house having a cuppa with my faithfull cat Rosie. It was right at the end of winter, spring was only a few days away. Out in the front paddock was a pair of Magpies being very agitated about something that I could not see. They were swooping and cursing at something behind the wood heap. I suddenly realised that they must be trying to protect something, and my senses sparked up. In between the squarking by the swooping maggies I could hear a faint sound of new birds in a nest. Near the house is 2 large pine trees and the sound was coming from the very top of one of the huge trees. So yes they were probably the family that the parents were trying to protect. I put my coffee down and walked towards the wood heap, the closer I got the better view of the commotion was to be had. A few metres from the heap, I suddenly spotted a neighbours cat being the recipient of the constant attack. Until I appeared the cat was ignoring the threats from the 2 birds. Just then the cat spotted me, and turned and sprinted off towards the fence. I shouted out some loud shooing sounds to help the cat along. The two Magpies realised that I was helping them and they calmed down and silently thanked me for the intervention. Since then I have listened daily for the screeching young birds in the nest. I have looked at the top of the pine tree with binoculars, only to see the bottom of the sturdy nest wedged in the fork of the tree. I thought I would keep an eye on the family and report on proceedings. Today, about a week later from the cat incident, it's very windy outside and the nest is swaying in the strong breeze. I haven't spotted the parents anywhere close to the tree today. I hope they are okay, and that they haven't decided to abandon the nest. Stay tuned.

UPDATE:- Last night I heard the Mum and Dad Magpies calling, but they normally do this on a full moon night. This morning when I opened the front door, I could hear the baby birds chirping. I have also seen a parent flying away from the nest tree, so all is well so far.

UPDATE:- It's been over a week and the chicks are growing, well at least they sound like they are. They are more vocal and call out much louder. Mum and Dad are very aggressive to any concieved threats. I saw them chase off a hawk that circling around the nest tree. I am looking forward to seeing the young ones out of the nest and sitting on the branches, flexing their wings. Maybe I will be able to get a picture as well.

Another camera lesson....

It was such a nice day today I decided to do a Pasty run to Crystal Brook. If you haven't tried a Crystal Brook Pasty, you are missing out on one of life's delights. After a lunch break in the sun reading the paper, I headed up the highway again to turn off at Weeroona Island. I found this good camera spot half way accross the causeway to the island. No traffic so I was free to set up the bike, walk away and take a few shots. I have been reading about photographing bikes in a magazine just this week and it has helped with my compositions. The day was completed with a nice meal out with Gary and Ali, nice food nice company.......good day all round.

Norton 961 SE Commando First Look...........

Triumph were rebirthed a few years back and they have a great range of bikes.

Now we see that someone has rekindled the Norton bike......I hope it is a success as it looks very slick. Here is a copy of an article written in an online bike magagzine

"It now looks like September could see the first of the new Norton 961 SE Commandos rolling off the production line. Although very similar in appearance to the ‘Kenny Dreer’ machine, it has been totally re-engineered and now boasts fuel injection.The motor remains a pushrod Parallel Twin and is expected to give 80-85 hp in its final form. The frame too remains as per the prototype, BST carbon fiber wheels, Ohlin’s forks and twin rear shocks; along with Brembo brakes also mirror the original. Only 200 of these new machines will be built, all coming with a numbered plaque, costing £15,995. Stuart Garner and his team though are remaining tight lipped about future models, proffering to concentrate on fulfilling the orders for the new SE model and establish confidence that the historic brand is back as modern day manufacturer before promising further models!"